Occasional postings on matters pertaining to economic sociology or socio-economics or political economy at the local (Jacksonville FL.), state, national, and global level.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Saving The Public From Ryan

The Republican vice-Presidential
candidate, Paul Ryan, is a long-time follower and devotee of Ayn Rand. Rand was
a proponent of selfish and possessive individualism and an opponent of altruism
and “collectivism” which meant any role for the public sector regardless of how
it might improve the quality of life of the population.Rand
was also an atheist who saw religion as far too compassionate toward the poor.
This latter inconvenient truth has recently led Ryan, a Catholic, to retreat
from his lifelong fawning over Rand.

But Ryan’s budget plan, which is
getting most of the attention, is very Randian in its attack on public programs
and government. It is all proclaimed in the name of fiscal responsibility and
addressing budget deficits, but the tax cuts in the plan will likely do little
to address deficits over the short-run. What the plan would accomplish is tax
benefits for the rich, the privatization of government programs so that the
money can be transferred to Wall Street, and austerity which will further
deepen the economic crisis.

As a political strategy, how does the
selection of Ryan help Romney? We know that Romney will do anything and say
anything to gain the favor of the Republican base.He has no convictions that will get in the
way of this opportunism. After all, this
is a man who is unwilling to even be associated with his most significant
achievement as a public official – Romneycare.So, Ryan’s selection should be seen in this context – the base is
energized by the choice. It is a means to an end.

Since Ryan joined the ticket, and
attention has been directed toward his draconian and irresponsible budget plan
[see Krugman on the details] Romney has started reminding people that he has
his own budget plan. Of course, like
Ryan’s, it is designed to continue transferring income and wealth to the 1% but
it does not propose eliminating Social Security and Medicare as public programs,
as does Ryan’s plan.